As the nation grapples with yet another school shooting, Delaware's largest educators union, the Delaware State Education Association, is urging teachers and school staff to take a stand against gun violence and participate in three upcoming protests.

As the nation grapples with yet another fatal school shooting, Delaware's largest educators union, the Delaware State Education Association, is urging teachers and school staff to take a stand against gun violence and participate in three upcoming pr
Jessica Bies

A young woman cries during a protest against guns on the steps of the Broward County Federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Nikolas Cruz, a former student, is charged with killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday.(Photo: Brynn Anderson, AP)

Editor's note: While DSEA is urging educators to take collective action after the shooting in Florida, it is not encouraging its members to walk out. This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the union's views.

As the nation grapples with yet another school shooting, Delaware's largest educators union, the Delaware State Education Association, is urging teachers and school staff to take a stand against gun violence and participate in three upcoming protests.

It is discouraging teachers from striking.

"I have personally heard from members demanding that DSEA authorize a move to strike until such time as our policymakers do something about the rising level of gun violence in our schools," union president Mike Mathews said online. "While I appreciate the passion these friends have shared with me on that topic, I believe our efforts during this tragedy must be focused on our number one priority: our students. Striking would not help us accomplish that goal."

A mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, left 17 people dead and has sparked calls for walkouts, sit-ins and other actions on school campuses across the United States aimed at pushing lawmakers to pass tougher gun laws.

While it remains unclear just how many Delaware students will participate in upcoming walkouts, Matthews posted a lengthy blog post Monday encouraging the union's members to take collective action and speak out against "the unacceptable level of gun violence in our nation’s schools."

DSEA President Mike Matthews(Photo: Submitted)

"DSEA stands with the students and educators who are finding their voices through this tragedy and we intend to continue to push for common sense gun regulations that will help keep our schools safe," he wrote.

"Out of dire tragedy must come demands for change. The power rests within us, and I am asking each of you to be the change you wish to see in your schools, your community, your state and your country."

The first nationally planned protest is March 14.

Organizers behind the Women's March, an anti-Trump and female empowerment protest, are calling for a 17-minute walkoutto "protest Congress' inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods."

Matthews said the National Education Association, DSEA's parent organization, is asking educators throughout the country to wear orange for the event.

On March 24, student survivors of the Parkland shooting rampage will march on Washington, D.C. Students from other parts of the country are asked to either join them or organize marches in their local communities.

The Network for Public Education, an advocacy organization for public schools, meanwhile, has announced a "national day of action" on April 20, the anniversary of the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, in which two students opened fire, killing 12 students and one teacher.

The organization is encouraging teachers and students to plan events to protest gun violence in schools.

"We need to make this moment a movement and to actually make changes that need to happen in this country so that these kinds of weapons, AR-15s, are not in the hands of people who shouldn't have them," said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, a union representing teachers and other educators.

Matthews says DSEA will be promoting the event, as well as supporting any other events planned and held by local students, educators, parents and community leaders.

"We call on principals, administrators, and school districts to support them as well," he wrote online. "By coming together, we will make a clear, critical statement that we are standing up against gun violence against our students and educators in our schools."

A bronze bell sits next to a sign reading "#Enough" at a rally to support the victims of the Florida shooting.(Photo: Maria Taylor)

So far, there's only one such event registered in Delaware. The Women's March has a database of planned walkouts and shows one at 10 a.m. March 14 at MOT Charter High School in Middletown.

Administrators at the school did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Some local school districts contacted by The News Journal were not prepared to say whether or not they would dismiss students from classes or assignments during the events or if they would support any protests organized by students and staff. Conversations at some school districts were ongoing, with an official position expected closer to the actual date.

Capital School District said students would not be excused without a note.

"We do not have any plans to facilitate any protests," district spokeswoman Candace McCarthy said in an email. "Those that may participate in Washington would be considered absent, and we would follow our normal procedures requiring a parent note to be excused."

Parents were divided over the issue, with some in support of their children participating in walkouts and others strongly against it.

"I know they are hurting and in horrible pain," Linda Kemp said on DelawareOnline's Facebook page. "However, I don’t believe most of them have the knowledge to know the complete ramifications of the entire issue. They think gun control will fix it! It won’t!"

"Let's do whatever it takes to make the change," said Deborah Nycum-Jones, of Elkton, Maryland. "I hope the power of the people keep this going till change has been put into law."

Ramona Glover Lovett said: "I encourage them having a voice but do not encourage a walk out. Walking out isn’t going to change anything. We did a walk out when I was in school ... accomplished nothing. Had to make the day up on a Saturday and (if) you didn’t, you were written up."